Depression-era Comedy, Making It Brand New
Set in Winnipeg during the Great Depression, Guy Maddin’s
The Saddest Music in the World is so contemporary a film [part of the concurrent 47th San Francisco International Film Festival] it conflates the comedy-musical-melodrama genres into one wired pastiche that works. Mostly shot in black and white through a blue filter, the film oscillates with excitement into more lurid hues. Having obviously devoured silent films and newsreels, Maddin has recreated an appropriate period look (given a Baz Luhrman-like lens). His “snow queen” is the marvelous Isabella Rossellini, who plays the double-amputee beer heiress, Lady Port-Huntly, in blond wig with tiara.
Port-Huntly has offered a large Depression-era purse for the contestant who can perform the saddest music in the world at her brewery. From the wide world’s four corners national teams migrate to wintry Winnipeg, offering the oddest in period-exotic aural fare. After each round the winning team slides down a chute into a tub of beer. The incestuous Kent family, living locally, contrive to compete for the prize, representing the US, Canada, and Serbia. Throughout the ensuing madcap burlesque, Maddin manages both to touch the viewer and wallop Canada’s southern neighbor with some pointed satire. Memorably, Port-Huntley says, “If you’re sad and you like beer, then I’m your lady.”
posted by Paul at 11:57 AM
